Posted by Daisym on January 27, 2007, at 18:36:35
In reply to Re: Nightmares **sex abuse trigger** » sunnydays, posted by toojane on January 27, 2007, at 14:40:49
Sometimes I avoid sleeping so I can avoid the nightmares. This is a bad strategy because the more tired I am, the worse the dreams are. Sleeping pills or a glass of wine before bed sometimes minimize the dreams. Not always though.
I agree with toojane, writing down dreams is really useful. That way you don't have to carry it around, you can put it away for later reflection. As far as being aroused, this is common, both for dreams and when you are retelling some event, particularly a sexual event. How would you propose to control this physically programed response? Think of it like passing gas...you might not want to have gas but assuming you are human, your biology dictates that you will. It is how you expell that gas and where, that counts. Just like what you do with your arousal counts. Please don't beat yourself up over it.
Anniversaries are hard. If you think it would help, please write more about what happened to you here. I think sharing and receiving support can calm down the psyche's need to force it up and out in our dreams, even in non-concrete, very symbolic ways. I know it is hard, but I think it will help. I promise to read and reply.
Take good care of yourself.
Hugs,
Daisy
poster:Daisym
thread:727148
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070119/msgs/727257.html